Angry, armed popcorn company employee takes boss hostage

EL SEGUNDO, California A disgruntled popcorn employee took her boss hostage for three hours Tuesday morning.

The siege began about 8:20 a.m when an armed woman entered Popcornopolis' corporate office in El Segundo.

The woman, in her 20s, was believed to be carrying a semi-automatic handgun and locked herself in an office with the chief financial officer.

Cpt. Bob Turnbull told KNX 1070 Newsradio the woman came into the business and told people to get out.

Some Popcornopolis employees were able to flee the building while others hid in a warehouse before eventually leaving, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Police surrounded the building and crisis negotiators were brought in.

The woman finally released the unidentified CFO unharmed just after 11 a.m., police said.

The woman later surrendered to authorities. It is not known what her motive was.

"We'll be interviewing all those who were involved and conducting a very thorough investigation related to this incident," Lt. Raymond Garcia said.

Police said the woman was a current Popcornopolis employee.

Popcornopolis specializes in flavored gourmet popcorn and has stores in six states. It also had two outlets in Kuwait.

The company's website states: "Welcome to the place where eyes get big, smiles grow wide and good times start rolling!

"How can you not be happy when you've got a big, fresh cone of Popcornopolis gourmet popcorn in front of you?"